The Woodrat ride is a great intermediate length loop that quickly takes you out of the populated Rogue Valley into a forrested rural area. The ride is roughly 46 miles with 3000 feet of climbing. For the most part the climbing is gentle, but W. Griffin Creek road has a short window near its summit that reaches a 16% grade. Once you reach Poorman Creek you'd never know you were just minutes from Medford. After a a few miles of climbing on the Sterling Creek road the road descends very quickly from 3000 feet in elevation to the beautiful Little Applegate Valley. On the return trip to Jacksonville along HWY 238 you pass numerous vineyards, orchards and farms.

Starting from Colver Rd Park in Phoenix there are several ways to begin this ride. The most direct is to take Pioneer road off of Colver direct to Griffin Creek Rd. Club rides will traditionally follow the easier route along Voorhies & South Stage instead of Pioneer. Follow Griffin Creek Rd to the intersection w/West Griffin Creek Rd. This climbs occasionally steeply to a crest where it becomes Poorman Creek Rd. and descends to the intersection w/Steerling Creek Rd. Follow this for a few miles of climbing and subsequent descending into the Little Applegate Valley. At the historic town of Buncom turn right and continue thru Ruch on HWY 238 back to Jacksonville and return to Colver Park via South Stage and Voorhies Rd. This loop can be done in either direction and the ride is distinctly different depending on the direction you choose.

Colver Rd Park is the traditional start point for the Woodrat Ride and many of our club rides, but the loop can be accessed easilly from West Medford or Jacksonville.

With the exception of Hwy 238 and South Stage Rd traffic is generally light on these roads. Sterling Creek and Poorman Creek road have no marked speed limit for traffic and frequently have short line of sight so extra caution is advised. Pavement is hit and miss - Much of this ride is recent chipseal but 238 is a pleasure.